Sunday, February 26, 2012

Butterfly in Neutrals

Hello! Did you all have a good weekend? I had a happy one. My husband planned an overnight getaway for just the two of us, at a luxury hotel in Philadelphia: The Hyatt at The Bellevue. We each had a massage, and he also had a facial, and for me - a detoxifying mud wrap for the body. Oh, did my skin glow! We had dinner at the famous Ruth's Chris Steakhouse a block away and it was so yummy. It was very precious and special to hang out with the love of my life, all alone.

I wish I had brought my camera with me, because the Bellevue hotel (click on link for more history on the building) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and first opened its doors in 1904. Here is some info from the website page:

The Bellevue-Stratford opened its doors in 1904 and became known worldwide as Philadelphia’s pre-eminent hotel, nicknamed “The Grande Dame of Broad Street.” Famed hotelier George C. Boldt (he also managed the Waldorf-Astoria in New York) wanted to build the best hotel of its time—and he did.

Designed in the French Renaissance style, The Bellevue features Gilded Age architectural flourishes including a magnificent two-tiered ballroom with delicate light fixtures designed by Thomas Alva Edison, stained glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany, chandeliers by Lalique and a celebrated cast-iron circular staircase. Many of these flourishes remain and make it the marvel that it is.

Famous guests include Jacob Astor, J.P. Morgan, William Jennings Bryan, Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante, John Wayne, Katherine Hepburn, and the Vanderbilt family in addition to countless socialites, luminaries and heads of state.

Every US President since Theodore Roosevelt has visited The Bellevue.

Here are some photos I found on the Internet:

The lobby, photo taken in 1976.

One of the lobbies, and this is where we checked in. When the hotel was new back in 1904, guests checked in on the top floor (19th), then went downstairs to their rooms. The tradition proved too cumbersome, and the lobby was set on the ground level.

I used two stamps, available through Blockheads Paper Arts. Using the Shipping Ephemera stamp and Crumb Cake ink, I created my own background paper. Then I stamped it one more time on a scrap, trimmed it, inked the edges and mounted it on a piece of Early Espresso cardstock.

The butterfly was colored with Copic markers, then trimmed and mounted onto the card. I added three petals of a paper Prima Wildflower, which had been dyed with coffee. Since I was unable to save the antennae when I cut out the image, I drew them on with a marker instead.

The base of the card is simple: vanilla cardstock base, followed by an Early Espresso panel (embossed with the Textile embossing folder by Cuttlebug, then distressed the edges).

Hope you enjoyed the photos today! It was fun looking for them so I could share them with you.

Thanks Colleen, for visitng my blog, really appreciate it!!Thanks for your kind words.I see your blog is really lovely. Love your sharing of beautiful scenes of buildings and interior designs, I wish I can live in for a month! Too luxurious will spoil me, that is why a month is good for me!Your butterfly looks so real!

Awwww...how sweet, Colleen! Am happy that you and husband got away for some precious time together! And, the hotel looks so elegant and beautiful! Gorgeous card, too! Love the "all natural" look with the awesome butterly! Take care and have a wonderful week, hugs!!:-))

WOW!! What a lucky girl.. That sounds like an amazing weekend. That hotel looks gorgeous.. Your card for CCCB looks so pretty. I love the butterfly and the design of your card is beautiful.. So glad you played along with us!!

Wow! what a beautiful place ... My grandmother used to have a hotel in London ... loved those days of staying there ... your card is so lovely ... great background you created ... many thanks for playing along at CCCB

The butterfly made me think of an old book; you added a lovely "antique" touch to this beauty. Your coloring skills are amazing; the butterfly is a perfect and gorgeous focal point. And the "simple" but stunning background is perfect. Lovely to read you had a "romantic getaway". You deserve to be spoilt:)

Fabulous photos, Colleen!! I'm SO happy that you and Brian had the chance to get away!! Looks like a stunning place, and all those spa treatments (and a fancy dinner!) sounded divine. You really deserved such special treatment! Glad you enjoyed yourselves. :)

And that gorgeous card is the perfect encore to your weekend. It's also stunning! Love the vintage details. You were so clever to draw in the lost antennae!!!

Wow Colleen, how romantic! Your hubby was so sweet to arrange that getaway. The hotel looks amazing as does your card! That ribbon is just gorgeous and I love your neutral BG. I like how you just used a few petals of the flower. It is a very nice effect.Hugs,Ellen

I LOVED reading this post! What a well deserved romantic getaway with your DH! LOVE the pics! Also LOVE your card! LOVE how you added the petals and drew the antennae in! LOVELY stamped background, too!

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